Electric Lift Assembly for Bow Mount Trolling Motors

ABSTRACT

A Remote Electric Lift Assembly for Bow Mount Trolling Motors for remotely raising and lowering the shaft of a bow mount trolling motor. The invention is configured with a Custom Frame that mounts to a bow mount trolling motor or boat bow, a small Direct-Current Motor that mounts to the Custom Frame, a Custom Cable System that connects to the Direct-Current Motor and the shaft of the bow mount trolling motor, an Electrical Switch for remote raising/lowering control, and an Electrical Wiring Harness that connects the Electrical Switch to the Direct-Current Motor and a battery source. When the switch is operated the Direct-Current Motor provides the energy necessary for remotely raising and lowering the trolling motor shaft via the Custom Cable System to any desired position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fishing and other recreational boats often utilize bow mount trolling motors for slow speed and quiet movement. Bow mount trolling motors are typically permanently mounted or utilize a removable mount assembly, and are connected to an onboard battery system for the source of power. Many modern bow mount trolling motors have remote steering and speed control capability to allow operation of the motor throughout the boat. Bow mount trolling motor manufacturers have made many improvements for deploying and stowing the trolling motor, although physical human interaction with the trolling motor is required. This interaction requires the boat operator to go to the bow of the boat and physically lift/lower the motor to its stowed/deployed position so the boat can move at higher speeds with the main motor. Certain types of fishing require this stow/deploy interaction to be done repetitively throughout a day of fishing, which takes time away from fishing, is inconvenient, and occasionally presents unnecessary hazards in rough water. There is a continuing need for an Remote Electric Lift Assembly for Bow Mount Trolling Motors that enables the operator to remotely lift the trolling motor shaft to allow the boat to travel at higher speeds, and then remotely lower the trolling motor shaft to return to using the trolling motor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a Remote Electric Lift Assembly for Bow Mount Trolling Motors for remotely raising and lowering the shaft of a bow mount trolling motor. The assembly includes a Custom Frame that mounts to a bow mount trolling motor or boat, a small Direct-Current Motor that mounts to the Custom Frame, a Custom Cable System that connects to the Direct-Current Motor and the shaft of the bow mount trolling motor, an Electrical Switch for remote raising/lowering control, and an Electrical Wiring Harness. The Custom Frame, Direct-Current Motor, and Custom Cable System mount to the bow mount trolling motor and the Electrical Switch is installed at a remote location and connected to the Direct-Current Motor and a battery source. When the switch is operated the Direct-Current Motor provides the energy necessary for remotely raising and lowering the trolling motor shaft via the Custom Cable System.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the full Remote Electric Lift Assembly for Bow Mount Trolling Motors of the present invention mounted to a bow mount trolling motor with the trolling motor shaft in the fully lowered position. Custom Frame 1, Direct-Current Motor 2, Custom Pulley and Cable System 3.

FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the full Remote Electric Lift Assembly for Bow Mount Trolling Motors of the present invention mounted to a bow mount trolling motor with the trolling motor shaft in the fully raised position. Custom Frame 1, Direct-Current Motor 2, Custom Pulley and Cable System 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a perspective view of the full Remote Electric Lift Assembly for Bow Mount Trolling Motors Custom Frame of the present invention. Details of the Custom Frame 1, Direct-Current Motor 2, Custom Pulley and Cable System 3 are provided below.

The Custom Frame 1 is customized to mount to a variety of the commonly manufactured bow mount trolling motors. The Custom Frame 1 is customized to mount to a bow mount trolling motor without modifying the original bow mount trolling motor assembly or impeding the normal intended operation of the original bow mount trolling motor. The Custom Frame 1 is designed and constructed to be easily installed and removed from the bow mount trolling motor. The Custom Frame 1 is constructed of a material compatible with the intended use of the original bow mount trolling motor. The Custom Frame 1 is designed of adequate strength to support the forces necessary to raise/lower the trolling motor shaft.

The Direct Current Motor 2 is readily available from various manufactures and is selected to accommodate the required specifications for the application of the present invention, including but not limited to: motor voltage, motor dimensions, motor torque, motor speed, motor mounting bolt pattern and spacing, motor shaft diameter, motor shaft length, motor shaft connection type, and motor ingress protection rating. The Direct-Current Motor 2 is connected to the existing trolling motor battery system via a Custom Electrical Harness and Electrical Switch. The Electrical Switch is of several readily available manufactured types to accommodate the operators desired means of control, included but not limited to, wired momentary switches, foot-control switches, wireless switches.

The Custom Cable System 3 includes a Custom Pulley mounted to a hub that attaches to the shaft of the Direct-Current Motor 2, a Split Collar matched to the diameter of the trolling motor shaft, and a section of small diameter cable that connects to the Custom Pulley and the Split Collar. The Custom Pulley size is designed to hold the required length of cable to fully lower the trolling motor shaft. The Custom Pulley size is also designed based on the motor speed to provide an adequate raising/lowering speed of the trolling motor shaft. The Split Collar is readily available from various manufacturers and is selected to meet the required specifications for the application of the present invention, including, but not limited to: inside diameter, outside diameter, thickness, and material. The Split Collar attaches to the lower part of trolling motor shaft and is sized to securely fasten around the shaft with proper clamping tension to support the forces necessary to raise, lower, and hold the trolling motor shaft in any vertical position. The small-diameter cable used in this Custom Cable System 3 is of proper strength to support the forces necessary to raise, lower, and hold the trolling motor shaft, and also made of proper material to withstand the environmental conditions present with typical bow mount trolling motor applications. 

1. An Remote Electric Lift Assembly for Bow Mount Trolling Motors comprising: a. a Custom Frame to mount to a bow mount trolling motor or boat bow b. a Frame to support a small Direct-Current Motor c. the use of a small Direct-Current Motor to wrap and unwrap the Custom Cable System d. a Custom Pulley to attach to the Direct-Current Motor and Custom Cable System e. the use of a Split Collar to securely attach the Custom Cable System to the bow mount trolling motor shaft f. the use of an Electrical Switch for remote raise/lower control g. a Custom Electrical Wiring Harness for connection to a battery source, the Electrical Switch, and the Direct-Current Motor 